National Forum

McKenna Cup Final

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Donegal 3 up at half time in an open entertaining game that is being played on a heavy pitch.
Frank Mc Glynn back & looking in great form.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 17/02/2018 18:51:21    2077732

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Donegal by 4 at the end 1-16 to 1-12 in a very entertaining game that had plenty of bite.

Good to see Frank McGlynn, Murph & Neil McGee back in action & tonight will have brought them on for a must win game against Kildare next weekend.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 17/02/2018 19:53:26    2077743

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Replying To MuckrossHead:  "Donegal 3 up at half time in an open entertaining game that is being played on a heavy pitch.
Frank Mc Glynn back & looking in great form."
Seems to have been a good game. Score would suggest neither team went with a 'blanket' defence

neverright (Roscommon) - Posts: 1648 - 17/02/2018 20:01:22    2077745

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A good win, the young lads are showing great promise,nice to see Murph come on in the second half and steady the ship, Frank was solid as a rock as always, nice cameo from Neil near the end, Tyrone will be raring to go now for revenge in Omagh in 2 wks time, that should be a cracker, just need to put in a big performance in now in Ballyshannon otherwise we'll be likely be heading for div 2 nxt yr.
Great to get some silverware for Declan hopefully we can add the Anglo Celt later on this year. great open game and Tyrone played well.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 2739 - 17/02/2018 20:18:45    2077750

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Attendance of 4,287 for the final tonight With each attendee paying €10 + no wonder they wanted it played

SlipperyDodger (Cork) - Posts: 93 - 17/02/2018 20:27:20    2077755

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someone said heavy pitch? that pitch was rock solid. great conditions for a game.

southtyronegael (Tyrone) - Posts: 19 - 17/02/2018 20:45:12    2077763

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Replying To southtyronegael:  "someone said heavy pitch? that pitch was rock solid. great conditions for a game."
The wings & the middle were fine but the section from the goals out to about 30 yds, where a lot of the play took place, was a brown bog.

It's hard to understand why soccer & rugby pitches, which get as much if not more use at this time of the year, seem to hold up much better.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 17/02/2018 21:43:30    2077777

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Replying To MuckrossHead:  "The wings & the middle were fine but the section from the goals out to about 30 yds, where a lot of the play took place, was a brown bog.

It's hard to understand why soccer & rugby pitches, which get as much if not more use at this time of the year, seem to hold up much better."
Agree with the Tyrone poster the pitch was in very good nick esp for the time of year and was not at all boggy or heavy.

panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2779 - 17/02/2018 22:42:44    2077792

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Very enjoyable game in decent conditions for the time of year. I love going to the Athletic Grounds despite it been a trek. It is one of the best grounds in the country to watch a game (personally my fav). Always very well organised and very accessible with an excellent pitch.

The game itself was very enjoyable, pretty open and will probably bare no resemblance to any future meetings later in the year. Its was largely 15 on 15 and I very much doubt Tyrone especially will be so open defensively down the line. From a Donegal perspective it was good to see Frank McGlynn back who put in a very good performance. The younger players done well with Conor Morrison being solid and Daire O'Baoill looking every inch a senior inter county player. Again Hugh McFadden really led the side well ably assisted by Paul Brennan who put in some shift. Martin McE also had a very encouraging start to the year with an exquisite finish for his goal. Great to see MM get more game time on a disappointing couple of days. His turn and swivel for his point out the field was classic Murphy. Special mention must go to Odhran Macniallais who was very deserving of the MOTM accolade. His fielding, game management and delivery was top class and how Donegal have missed him. I know he can frustrate supporters myself included at times but there are few players in the country who have his natural ability.

From a Tyrone perspective the game should be the perfect prep for some important league games. However one huge source of worry must be some of the shooting yet again. Similar to the Dublin game Tyrone had some bad wides and made some questionable decisions when in front of goal. There is no question about the talent being there and Tyrone have some of the best forwards in the country when it comes to balance and comfort on the ball but shooting is becoming an Achilles heal that will need to improve looking forward.

panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2779 - 17/02/2018 23:12:57    2077796

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Was at it myself, wasn't good watching. Did both teams more or less play their second string side. Tyrone started with basically a B team. The players who started seem to be those Harte doesn't regularly play. New guys came in, older guys not making the 15 all year showing up to, I was glad to see it because it gives Harte a chance to look at the whole panel. Unfortunately nobody shined, in fact most confirmed they're not good enough to step up.

At times the match lacked appetite but got going towards the end. You cant blame Donegal and Tyrone resting their main men, some big games coming up.

cacsmckilly (Tyrone) - Posts: 1294 - 19/02/2018 15:02:24    2078381

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Replying To cacsmckilly:  "Was at it myself, wasn't good watching. Did both teams more or less play their second string side. Tyrone started with basically a B team. The players who started seem to be those Harte doesn't regularly play. New guys came in, older guys not making the 15 all year showing up to, I was glad to see it because it gives Harte a chance to look at the whole panel. Unfortunately nobody shined, in fact most confirmed they're not good enough to step up.

At times the match lacked appetite but got going towards the end. You cant blame Donegal and Tyrone resting their main men, some big games coming up."
I think u are the first person at the game I have come across to say it was not good viewing. I include Tyrone supporters in that who I spoke to both during and after the game. So I have to disagree with you, it was a very enjoyable game. You are right though in that the game itself and the personnel will bare no resemblance to what might come down the line in the league and possibly the championship. Saying that did the game lack appetite? Again I disagree with you. Both teams might have been short many of their best players but both definitely wanted to win. The problem for Tyrone was the bad wides and poor decision making none of which can be attributed to a lack of appetite.

panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2779 - 19/02/2018 17:49:07    2078472

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